"I will do as you wish. I will buy an equipage to-morrow, lest I should again walk in the rain and catch cold. Where did you see me on foot?"
"In the Orso, half an hour ago. Why do you talk about my wishes in that absurd way?"
"Since you say it is absurd, I will not do so," said Giovanni, quietly.
"You are always contradicting me," said the Prince. "Some wine,
Pasquale."
"Contradicting you?" repeated Giovanni. "Nothing could be further from my intentions."
The old Prince slowly sipped a glass of wine before he answered.
"Why do not you set up an establishment for yourself and live like a gentleman?" he asked at length. "You are rich—why do you go about on foot and dine in cafés?"
"Do I ever dine at a café when you are dining alone?"
"You have got used to living in restaurants in Paris," retorted his father. "It is a bad habit. What was the use of your mother leaving you a fortune, unless you will live in a proper fashion?"
"I understand you very well," answered Giovanni, his dark eyes beginning to gleam. "You know all that is a pretence. I am the most home-staying man of your acquaintance. It is a mere pretence. You are going to talk about my marriage again."